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This article is about the news television network. For other uses, see The Blaze (disambiguation).

CountryUnited States
HeadquartersDallas, Texas
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerMercury Radio Arts (Glenn Beck)

TheBlaze is a multiplatform news and entertainment network available on television, radio and the Internet founded by conservative talk radio personality and entrepreneur Glenn Beck. TheBlaze has studios and offices based in the Las Colinas urban district in Irving, Texas (located in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area); Los Angeles, California; and the District of Columbia, with its main complex being based in Las Colinas.

The network is available on regional cable providers throughout the United States, on Verizon Fios channel 112, on Dish Network channel 212, on the Roku Device, on SkyAngel and available internationally on its own online streaming service, which also used to include a free digital subscription to a "1791" e-mail account (which is an offshoot of Beck's 1791 clothing company) and TheBlaze Magazine. The live audio stream is available on iHeartRadio and both the audio stream and live television stream are available on TheBlaze app, which is on the iPhone and on Android through Google Play.[citation needed]

As of December 30, 2014, TheBlaze is available on over 100 television providers, with eleven of those being in the top 25 nationwide.[1]

History

File:Mercuryradioarts.svg
Mercury Radio Arts serves as the production and operating company over the TheBlaze's outlets.

Beck spawned Mercury Radio Arts in 2002, naming it after Orson Welles' seminal Mercury Theatre, which produced live theatrical broadcasts during the 1930s. The company produces all of Beck's productions, including his eponymous radio show, books, and live stage shows, and his official website.[2][3]

On August 31, 2010, three days after his Restoring Honor rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C., Beck launched TheBlaze website, describing it as an alternative to "mainstream media outlets", which he said are "distorting facts to fit rigid agendas," he said TheBlaze will feature "breaking news, original reporting, insightful opinions and engaging videos about the stories that matter most" and that "we will examine our culture, deal with matters of faith and family, and we won’t be afraid of a history lesson."[4] The site was reportedly modeled after The Huffington Post, and has been compared accordingly by Matt DeLong of the Washington Post and Steve Krakauer of Mediaite.[5]

Beck announced the creation of an online only network that would replace Insider Extreme as a result of his Fox News departure on June 7, 2011. On September 12, 2011, Beck launched GBTV (acronymous for Glenn Beck TV) as an exclusive internet streaming network, produced and operated by Mercury Radio Arts. GBTV would air a television adaptation of his radio show, his television show, and other original programming, including Real News from TheBlaze, a nightly news program hosted by former CNN personality Amy Holmes.[6] On June 18, 2012, Mercury Radio Arts announced the consolidation of all of its outlets under the "TheBlaze" brand, thus renaming the internet television station from GBTV to TheBlaze.[7]

In 2012, Dish Network placed TheBlaze on its channel lineup. As a result of the "Get TheBlaze" campaign (a movement led by supporters to have other supporters call their cable or satellite television provider and ask them to carry the channel), several smaller, regional cable operators also have recently picked up TheBlaze—including Cablevision (a.k.a. Optimum TV – Channel 828), a major cable provider in the New York metropolitan area .[8][9]

Betsy Morgan was named CEO of TheBlaze on December 9, 2014, replacing Chris Balfe, who had been CEO since the beginning. Morgan left the company on in June 2015.[10] Chief Revenue Officer Kraig Kitchin replaced Morgan until he resigned in January 2016, taking the position of Interim Head of Sales and being replaced by Stewart Padveen, a digital startup entrepreneur. Kitchin's resignation was accompanied by those of fellow senior executives Jeremy Price, director of advertising sales, and Liz Julis, director of marketing.[11]

On Monday, November 2, 2015, Beck sent an open letter to the Republican National Convention, requesting permission for TheBlaze to host the ninth and final Republican Presidential debate. Over the next week #BlazeDebate was a worldwide trending topic on Twitter and Facebook, with the proposal for a TheBlaze Presidential debate being supported by Republican Presidential Candidates Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina, Bobby Jindal, Ben Carson, as well as other conservative voices such as Bill O'Reilly and Megyn Kelly. “We can do something entirely different and have a digital record of it that will be able to get the youth,” Beck said. “We’re uniquely positioned for things to be watched online.” Beyond that, Beck said he would set up digital catalog with material from the debate. “You’ll be able to reference that over and over again. It will last a lot longer than just the week,” he said.[12][13]

Programs

Daily shows

Program Host Time (Eastern) Notes Original Run
The Glenn Beck Radio Program Glenn Beck
Pat Gray
Stu Burguiere
Jeff "Jeffy" Fisher		 9 AM - 12 PM Live – Video simulcast of the Premiere Networks radio program. 2000–present
Pat & Stu Pat Gray
Stu Burguiere
Jeff "Jeffy" Fisher		 12 PM - 2 PM Live show featuring the Glenn Beck Radio Program's co-hosts. Audio is later rebroadcast on TheBlaze Radio Network. 2012–present
The Dana Show - The Conservative Alternative Dana Loesch 2 PM - 3 PM Live video simulcast of the second hour of Dana Loesch's radio show 2015–Present
Glenn Glenn Beck 5 PM - 6 PM Television-exclusive program. A continuation of Beck's previous TV shows that had aired on Headline News and Fox News Channel until 2011. 2006–present
Dana Dana Loesch 6 PM - 7 PM Daily opinion show hosted by Dana Loesch. 2014–present
Tomi Tomi Lahren 7 PM - 8 PM News and opinion with commentator Tomi Lahren 2016–Present
The Vault Glenn Beck and various TheBlaze hosts and guests 8 PM - 9 PM Episodes based in a secret vault holding the thousands of historical artifacts Mercury Radio Arts has in their possession 2016-Present

Weekly shows

  • hiSTORY - show highlighting the accomplishments of courageous historical figures.
  • Cain Conversation - political commentary, interviews and news with Will Cain; two episodes a week
  • ThrowBeck – A collection of the most memorable moments ever on The Glenn Beck Program
  • Common Ground - Two best friends, one who leans right wing and one who leans left wing, discuss the world events
  • Week In Review – News show; review of the week's news events
  • For the Record – an investigative documentary series
  • The Wonderful World of Stu – Political satire presented by Stu Burguiere, focused primarily on promoting Libertarian principles while also poking fun at progressives and government regulation.
  • After Action - A talk show starring retired United States Navy SEALS Marcus Luttrell and Peter Scobell
  • The Root – An investigative documentary series getting down to the "root" of current events
  • Hot Shots – Reality television program that follows professional and amateur shooters on and off a gun range.
  • Ammo & Attitude – A women-only outdoor show, in the spirit of Survivor meeting The Apprentice. Sponsored by GoPro and Under Armour
  • Election Center 2016 - Coverage of the Presidential Elections
  • Foundations of Freedom - mini-series hosted by David Barton

Other shows

These programs are no longer producing new episodes, but are still rerun on TheBlaze or available on demand through TheBlaze's Website:

  • The Buck Sexton Show - simulcast of Buck Sexton's radio show; the radio show still produces new episodes on TheBlaze Radio.
  • Real News-- A panel discussion show featuring a rotating selection of contributors. Regular contributors included Buck Sexton, S. E. Cupp, Will Cain, Amy Holmes, and Ellison Barber.
  • Real News Investigates – An investigative news program hosted by Buck Sexton
  • The Buck Sexton Show - Tape-delayed televised version of The Buck Sexton Radio Show
  • Wilkow!—An hour-long, weeknight show featuring SiriusXM satellite radio personality Andrew Wilkow.
  • Liberty Treehouse – An educational program for younger audiences dealing with history, science and the arts. Hosted by Raj Nair and Lu Hanessian
  • Hutch – Pastor Ken Hutcherson explored the stories and messages he wished to share before he passed.
  • Independence USA – A reality show where a family prepares for life off the grid.
  • Pursuit of the Truth – Produced by Vince Vaughn, this reality series places documentary filmmakers against each other to see who can tell the best story.
  • The BS of A – A sketch comedy show hosted by Brian Sack.
  • Building America – A television special hosted by Mike Rowe.
  • Drive Thru History – Dave Scotts takes the audience to some of the most pivotal places in American history.
  • 3-Gun Nation – Reality show competition where professional and amateur shooters compete in a 3-Gun contest for the grand prize of $50,000.

Specials and documentaries

  • Rigged 2016 - Documentary
  • 2016 Election Coverage
  • Exclusive Interview with the Parents of the Dallas Police Shooter
  • 2016 Nevada Libertarian Presidential Debate - Libertarian presidential debate, moderated by Penn Jilette
  • 2016 Hardwood Breakfast - Breakfast held prior to the 2016 NCAA National Championship
  • 2016 Super Bowl Breakfast - Featuring Mike Ditka, Tony Dungy and other NFL legends
  • The Sun City Cell - Documentary on terror; original documentary by TheBlaze
  • Glenn Beck's Christmas Cheer, a live Christmas comedy stage show featuring TheBlaze hosts and personalities; live from Dallas, Texas
  • Never Again Is Now
  • 6 Days in Iraq - A "TheBlaze Original Documentary" featuring Blaze writers traveling to Iraq and Syria
  • Man in the Moon – A stage and film spectacular about the history of the world, past, present and future, told through the eyes of the moon.
  • Restoring Unity - Coverage of the Restoring Unity march and rally in Birmingham, Alabama in August 2015, which saw an estimated 30,000 people march through the streets of Birmingham for the "Never Again Is Now" movement.
  • The Making of Man in the Moon – A behind-the-scenes look at how American Dream Labs' Man in the Moon came to be.
  • Restoring Love – A rally held by Beck to restore love and service in America and to turn back to God. Over 60,000 people were at the rally, which was held in AT&T Stadium, and thousands of other people participated in the "Day of Service", in which attendees went out to the Dallas – Ft. Worth area to serve their fellow Americans. Over a dozen tractor trailers were filled with food being sent out to several different cities across the country.
  • Restoring Courage – A series of three events held in Jerusalem, Israel, led by Beck and a call to stand with the Jewish people and to stand for courage.
  • Restoring Unity — An event held in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 28 & 29, 2015. Over 20,000 people went to this event, which was held to call attention to the disregard of the sanctity of life being seen throughout the world.
  • The Soviet Story – A documentary detailing how the Soviet Union helped Nazi Germany instigate the Holocaust. Winner of the "Mass Impact Award" at the Boston Film Festival.
  • Alise vs. the Mayor – A documentary series following 10-year-old Alise Alexander as she finds out the school she loves is being shut down by Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City. The series follows the issue of charter schools in New York.
  • The Project – A two-part documentary series revealing how the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the American government and how national security is at risk.

Television studios

TheBlaze headquarters is located in Dallas, Texas at the studios at Las Colinas, where feature films Robocop and JFK, and television series Walker, Texas Ranger and Prison Break were filmed.[citation needed] TheBlaze has taken over the entire complex, where it currently operates production studios, a global newsroom, and also houses The American Dream Labs. [citation needed]

  • Mercury Stage 19: This studio is from which the majority of shows are broadcast, including The Glenn Beck Radio Program, Pat & Stu, The Glenn Beck Program, and The Wonderful World of Stu. This studio is also the home of The American Dream Labs, though the actual working lab is hidden from the view of television cameras.
  • Mercury Stage 33: The original studio for production of The Glenn Beck Program, this studio is currently used for Dana
  • Mercury Studio B: Various

The network also has a global newsroom in New York City. The studio is also home of radio/television simulcast program The Buck Sexton Show.

The studios in Las Colinas are open to all TheBlaze employees for use when shows are not being filmed.

Notable personalities

Program hosts

  • Glenn Beck - The Glenn Beck Program, Glenn Beck Radio
  • Stu Burguire - Glenn Beck Radio, Pat & Stu
  • Pat Gray - Glenn Beck Radio, Pat & Stu
  • Jeff "Jeffy" Fisher - Glenn Beck Radio, Pat & Stu, The Jeff Fisher Show
  • Andrew WK - America WK
  • Laurie Dhue - Blaze News anchor
  • Dana Loesch - Dana, Dana Radio - The Conservative Alternative
  • Mike Rowe - Building America
  • Tomi Lahren - Tomi
  • Buck Sexton - The Buck Sexton Show
  • Sara Carter - For the Record
  • Lawrence B. Jones - Common Ground
  • Will Cain - Cain Conversation
  • Matt Walsh - The Matt Walsh Show
  • Brad Staggs - Half-hour update host

Correspondents, contributors, and substitute hosts

Regular and notable guests

Former hosts and contributors

Additional outlets

Radio

TheBlaze Radio Network
File:TheBlaze Radio Network Logo.png
Broadcast areaWorldwide via Internet streaming and smartphone apps
FrequencyiHeartRadio, SiriusXM 796
Programming
FormatConservative libertarian talk radio
Ownership
OwnerMercury Radio Arts
TheBlaze
History
First air date
September 5, 2012
Technical information
ClassInternet radio station
Links
Websitehttp://www.TheBlaze.com/Radio
Main article: TheBlaze Radio Network

TheBlaze Radio Network was launched on September 5, 2012 and is available on SiriusXM internet radio channel 778 and for free via online streaming at TheBlaze.com/Radio, as well via the company's iOS app, and iHeartMedia's iHeartRadio app. TheBlaze Radio Network is the exclusive home of popular conservative talk-show hosts Jay Severin and Doc Thompson. Starting in 2013, it began producing and operating TheBlaze Radio News, providing news updates at the top of each programming hour on the SiriusXM channel SiriusXM Patriot.

On-demand podcasts

Podcasts available on demand produced by TheBlaze Radio Network

  • Pat & Stu
  • The Matt Walsh Podcast
  • The Rabbi Daniel Lapin Show
  • The Kate Show
  • Freedom's Disciple with Jonathon Dune
  • David Clarke: The People's Sheriff
  • 40 Acres and a Fool with Cam Edwards
  • TheBlaze Radio Specials
  • The Church Boys
  • TheBlaze Books with Benjamin Weingartern

Online

TheBlaze.com
File:TheBlaze Logo.png
show screenshot
Homepage screenshot on 14 May 2016
Type of site
News and opinion
Available inEnglish
OwnerMercury Radio Arts (Glenn Beck)
EditorLeon Wolf
URLwww.theblaze.com
CommercialYes

TheBlaze website launched on August 26, 2010. According to Beck, the site took two months to design.[4] At launch, the site's chief editor was Scott Baker, with its associate editor/video producer Pam Key and with Jon Seidl and Meredith Jessup as reporters. Key is known for her blog, Naked Emperor News: Smoking Gun Video and Images. Baker is a former Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, broadcast journalist who previously worked at The Huffington Post and Breitbart TV. Seidl, of the Manhattan Institute, previously worked at the American Spectator. Jessup previously worked at Townhall.com. Journalists joining TheBlaze later included S. E. Cupp and David Harsanyi.

On its opening morning, the site featured advertisements for Dick Armey's new book and for Goldline International,[4] and its lead story dealt with allegations that Education Secretary Arne Duncan encouraged Education Department employees to attend Al Sharpton's counter-rally in Washington, which took place on the same day as the Restoring Honor rally and at which Duncan spoke.[15] Another story, criticizing Feisal Abdul Rauf, featured the headline "Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the man behind the Ground Zero mosque, claims to be a Jew, Christian, and a Muslim. But some say that’s impossible."[16]

In January 2011, Betsy Morgan became president and Kraig Kitchin director of sales. Morgan had helmed the Huffington Post until 2009. Kitchin had formerly been the president of Premier Radio.[17]

In March 2011, the site was noted for its critique of James O'Keefe's NPR sting video.[18]

Books

Mercury Ink, partners with book publishing giant Simon & Schuster, is the publishing imprint of Mercury Radio Arts. Started in 2011, Mercury Ink publishes adult and young adult novels and non-fiction titles. Including books written by Glenn Beck, authors signed to Mercury Ink include New York Times best seller Richard Paul Evans.

Magazine

File:TheBlaze magazine April 2013.jpg

TheBlaze (titled Fusion prior to September 2012) was a monthly conservative news magazine published by Mercury Radio Arts and TheBlaze in New York City and circulated throughout the United States. Its former title, Fusion, was taken from Beck's talk radio program's slogan, "The Fusion of Entertainment and Enlightenment." The editor in chief was Scott Baker.[19]

The magazine was sixteen pages and was published monthly except for February and August. It features several recurring items, including "Stu's 3rd to Last Page," and "By the Numbers" (a listing of trivial facts related to the issue). Other articles deal with politics, pop culture, and society, and are generally written with humorous intent. Some issues have themes (Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc.) that most of the articles adhere to.

Those who attended the 2005 Glenn Beck: On Ice tour received the premiere issue (July 2005), featuring a puppet-like replication of Beck ice skating with training wheels on the cover.

Contributing editors credited in the magazine (and responsible for most of the written content) include: Kevin Balfe, Liz Julis, Pat Balfe, Ted Bell, John Bobey, Rick Bovay, Sam Boykin, Stu Burguiere, Evan Cutler, Steve Helling, Timothy Hogan, Scott Mendenhall, Eric D. Snider, and Jason Wright.

Contributing artists include: Eric Armusik, Neal Aspinall, Marty Elliot, Aaron McKinney, Scott Mendenhall, Paul Nunn, and Kerstin Vodges. features "exclusive reporting, in-depth features and unique insight and analysis".[20] It was available in two versions, digital and print.[20] The digital version is online, from any computer.[20] The print version was mailed by U.S. mail.[20]

The last edition of TheBlaze magazine was published in April 2015.[21]

References

  1. ^ Steinberg, Brian. "Suddenlink Launches Glenn Beck's TheBlaze After Removing Viacom Outlets". Variety. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  2. ^ Leibovich, Mark (September 29, 2010). "Being Glenn Beck". New York Times Magazine.
  3. ^ Rose, Lacey (August 30, 2010). "Glenn Beck's $35 Million Empire Adds A News Site". Forbes Blogs: Moneywood.
  4. ^ a b c Barr, Andy (August 31, 2010). "Glenn Beck launches news site". POLITICO. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  5. ^ Rose, Lacey (August 31, 2010). "Glenn Beck's $35 Million Empire Adds A News Site". Forbes. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  6. ^ Amy Holmes Joins Glenn Beck's GBTV Network As Anchor, Huffington Post, August 9, 2011
  7. ^ "Glenn Beck drops his name from Web network, promises media 'revolution' – CNN.com". CNN. June 18, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  8. ^ Morgenstern, Madeleine (March 28, 2013). "TheBlaze TV Launching on 4 More Cable Operators". TheBlaze. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  9. ^ Adams, Becket (May 1, 2013). "TheBlaze Extends Its Reach, Announces TV Deal with Tri State Cable Provider". TheBlaze. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  10. ^ "Betsy Morgan, CEO of Glenn Beck's The Blaze, Steps Down". www.adweek.com. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  11. ^ Grove, Lloyd (January 29, 2016). "Head of Glenn Beck's Media Empire Quits as The Blaze Burns Down". The Daily Beast. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  12. ^ "Glenn's offer to host 9th GOP presidential debate causing quite a stir". GlennBeck.com. November 3, 2015.
  13. ^ "Glenn Beck - Facebook".
  14. ^ "Theblaze.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  15. ^ DeLong, Matt (August 31, 2010). "Glenn Beck launches conservative news site TheBlaze.com". Washington Post. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  16. ^ Weiner, Juli (August 31, 2010). "Is the Conservative Media Ignoring the Launch of The Blaze, Glenn Beck's New Web Site?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  17. ^ Lang, Brent (January 5, 2011). "Glenn Beck Hires HuffPo's Morgan for His Fledgling Website". The Wrap.
  18. ^ "Analysts, NPR: Video edit of executive misleading". Associated Press. March 14, 2011.
  19. ^ "Scott Baker". TheBlaze.com. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  20. ^ a b c d https://web.archive.org/web/20141114203744/http://www.theblaze.com/magfaq/. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "The Blaze April 2015 (Vol. 5, Issue 3)". Glenn Beck. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
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